Download - The Future Impact of Wireless
The Future Impact of Wireless
Michigan Digital Government SummitOctober 14, 2004, Lansing Center
• Presenters:– Tom McQuillan
Director of Information TechnologyCity of Grand Rapids
– Viji MuraliVice President for Information Technology and Chief Information OfficerWestern Michigan University
– Jamie D. WalkerPartnerAccenture
"That Xbox your son has his hands on is seventeen thousand times faster than the computer on the Apollo Command Module that guided Neil Armstrong to the moon."
Michael K Powell, Chairman, Federal Communications CommissionDecember 18, 2003
Why Wireless?
• Need to move information quickly and efficiently
• Standard for business
• A commodity required by a high percentage of the population.
Broadband access...
• is becoming viewed as vital infrastructure
• is necessary to sustain & foster economic growth.
• must be reliable and affordable
Broadband access is critical to...
• education• business• healthcare• government• community services
Types of Wireless Technology
Current Wireless Options Description Speeds
Carrier Solutions Global System for Mobile (GSM),Cellular Digital Packet Data(CDPD), Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA), Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA), EnhancedData Rates for Global Evolution)Edge, ED-VO, Nextel, Verizon,Sprint
19.2K-38K
Private Radio Solutions M/A Com, Motorola, IPMobileNet,Dataradio
9.2K-56K
Private Broadband Solutions Alvarion, Mesh Networks, Flarion,NextGen City
500K-3MB
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) Cisco, Tropos, Vivator, Bellair,FireTide
1MB-54MB
Mayor's Office of Information Services, Philadelphia, PA
Wireless TechnologiesStrengths & Weaknesses
Technology Type Strengths Weaknesses
Cellular –Including both CDPD/CDMA
CoverageReliabilityMobility
BandwidthScalabilityApplication UtilizationSecurity
Satellite CoverageBandwidthSecurity
MobilityApplication UtilizationReliabilityScalability
Microwave BandwidthSecurityReliability
MobilityApplication UtilizationScalability
UWB BandwidthCoverageScalability
MobilitySecurityReliabilityApplication Utilization
802.11 BandwidthCoverageScalabilitySecurityMobilityApplication Utilization
The Millennium Group, Inc., Franklin, Tenn. RFP
What is Wi-Fi?
• Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi, is a wireless mode of connecting computers and other mobile devices to networks and to broadband data communications (the Internet).
• Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4 and 5.6 GHz radio frequency – spectrums that are unregulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
•There are currently four specifications in the family: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.
Why Wi-Fi?
• Wi-Fi is fast becoming the method of choice for a number of reasons, including:
– bandwidth– coverage– scalability– security– mobility– application utilization
WiMAX (802.16)
• A new and yet non-standardized wireless
• Its coverage and bandwidth potential is greater than that of Wi-Fi
• WiMAX supports up to 75M bit/sec of shared bandwidth
WiMAX (con’t)
• Cell size of three to five miles from base
• It's a potential alternative to DSL, cable modem, and T-1 services
• Early standard-compliant products are due out this year.
How does Wi-Fi Work?
• Access points are supplied with broadband and network access via wired connections to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• Access points can be combined into a "mesh network" to provide mobile connectivity anywhere in the coverage area.
• Access points in a Mesh network do not need to be mounted on towers, they can be placed on light poles or buildings.
How does Wi-Fi Work (Continued)
• Access points can even be mounted on city vehicles so that the vehicle becomes part of the mesh network providing connectivity anywhere within a 300-foot radius of the vehicle.
• Once Wi-Fi units are installed, they create a self-organized and self-healing wireless mesh.
• Some, but not all, access points must include a high-capacity connection to the Internet. Most only require access to a power source readily available on existing light poles. Wireless access can be rolled out as units are installed.
Wi-Fi Applications
• Improve public safety
• Increase operational efficiencies
• Enhance service to citizens and visitors
• Expand economic development
• Reduce digital divide
Wi-Fi Applications (Continued)
• Strengthen neighborhoods/quality of life/cool cities
• Enhance educational opportunities
• Serve community groups and non-profits
• Advance health care
• Assist mass transportation
• Encourage tourism and convention business
Business or Funding Models
If a wireless network is to be pursued, city leadership must decide on the most appropriate business model for the best possible service delivery.
Business/ Funding Models
Six Options:
•Government Owned & Operated•Government Owned/Privately
Operated• Joint Authority Operated •Non-Profit Owned & Operated•Non-Profit owned & Privately
Operated•Privately Owned & Operated
with Revenue Sharing
Potential Partners
Potential partner interest will depend on many variables, such as:
the type of network chosen its coverage area mobility, capabilities cost business model selected
The State, County, and other municipalities
The Education Community
The Health Community
Mass Transit Authority
Neighborhood Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Potential partners may include: